Iran arrests 11 in Malekshahi over January 2026 protests

Iran’s Intelligence Department in Ilam province announced the arrest of 11 individuals in Malekshahi district on charges related to shootings at security forces and property damage during the January 2026 protests. The detainees were also accused of links to the United States and Israel, though no evidence was provided to support these claims.

According to a statement cited by Iran’s ISNA news agency on Saturday, the intelligence department said the detainees were organized into three separate groups. They were accused of shooting at a police station, directing protesters, and vandalizing government and public facilities, as well as "brandishing firearms and bladed weapons" during the January unrest.

Authorities said weapons were seized from those arrested but did not specify the types of weapons or the circumstances of their discovery. The identities of the 11 individuals, the exact timing of their arrests, and their places of detention were not disclosed.

The security agency described the January protests as a "coup attempt" and labeled the detainees as "mercenaries," but did not provide evidence for the alleged connections to the United States and Israel.

The announcement comes as Malekshahi, a Kurdish district in Ilam province, remains linked to the January clashes, which saw some of the deadliest confrontations between security forces and protesters. Videos from the city’s protests showed security forces firing live ammunition at demonstrators in broad daylight.

At the time, Iran’s official news agency described the events in Ilam as "scattered clashes" and claimed some protesters were armed with firearms and grenades, though no independent verification of these claims was provided.